Beverage preparation machines

ABSTRACT

A delivery head for a beverage preparation machine comprising a clamping member and a base, wherein the clamping member is movable relative to the base, the clamping member being sequentially movable from an open position, through a clamping position to an ejection position, the clamping position being intermediate the open position and the ejection position, in the open position the clamping member being positioned to enable loading of a cartridge into the delivery head, the clamping member being clampable against said cartridge in the clamping position, the clamping member being movable relative to the base from the clamping position to the ejection position to enable transportation and ejection of said cartridge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national phase application filed under 35U.S.C. §371 of International Application PCT/US2008/063827, filed on May16, 2008, designating the United States, which claims benefit to U.S.Application No. 60/940,118, filed on May 25, 2007, and Great Britainapplication GB 0709585.4, filed on May 18, 2007, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to improvements in beverage preparationmachines and in particular to a delivery head for a beverage preparationmachine of the type which use pre-packaged containers of beverageingredients.

BACKGROUND

Beverage preparation machines such as coffee or tea brewing machines arewell known. It is known to provide beverage preparation machines whichdispense individual servings of beverage directly into a receptacle suchas a cup. Such machines may derive the beverage from a bulk supply ofbeverage ingredients or from packages of beverage ingredients such aspods, pads or cartridges. An example of one type of such packages isshown in EP1440903. In the following specification such packages will bereferenced by the general term cartridges. However, the invention is notlimited to use with one particular type of pod, pad or cartridge. Thebeverages are formed from brewing, mixing, dissolving or suspending thebeverage ingredients in water. For example, for coffee beverages, heatedwater is passed through the cartridges to form the extracted solution.The use of cartridges in such machines has become increasingly populardue to their convenience and the quality of the beverage produced.

For convenience it is known for such machines to include a mechanism forejecting the cartridges from the delivery head of the machine after eachdispense cycle. However, typically, such mechanisms are complex andrequire a delivery head which is bulky. In addition, the need for amechanism for ejecting the cartridges and a mechanism for clamping thecartridges adds to the complexity of the machine and can result in aclamping and ejecting method which is mechanically complicated. It is anobject of the present invention to provide a delivery head and beveragepreparation machine incorporating an improved ejection mechanism.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present invention provides a delivery head for abeverage preparation machine comprising a clamping member and a base,wherein the clamping member is movable relative to the base,

the clamping member being sequentially movable from an open position,through a clamping position to an ejection position, the clampingposition being intermediate the open position and the ejection position,

in the open position the clamping member being positioned to enableloading of a cartridge into the delivery head,

the clamping member being clampable against said cartridge in theclamping position,

the clamping member being movable relative to the base from the clampingposition to the ejection position to enable transportation and ejectionof said cartridge.

Advantageously, the use of the clamping member to both help in theclamping of the cartridge and the ejection of the cartridge simplifiesthe construction of the delivery head and reduces the number of largecomponents which are required. In addition, a more compact delivery headis achieved.

Preferably, the clamping member is pivotable relative to the base fromthe open position to the clamping position.

Preferably, the clamping member is movable in a direction substantiallyparallel to the base from the clamping position to the ejectionposition.

Preferably in the clamping position the clamping member applies aclamping force to said cartridge, the clamping member being movablerelative to the base from the clamping position to the ejection positionto enable ejection of said cartridge whilst maintaining at least aportion of said clamping force.

The present invention also provides a delivery head for a beveragepreparation machine comprising a clamping member and a base, wherein theclamping member is movable relative to the base,

the clamping member being movable from an open position, to a clampingposition to an ejection position,

in the open position the clamping member being positioned to enableloading of a cartridge into the delivery head,

the clamping member being pivotable relative to the base from the openposition to the clamping position,

the clamping member being clampable against said cartridge in theclamping position,

the clamping member being movable in a direction substantially parallelto the base from the clamping position to the ejection position toenable ejection of said cartridge.

Use of a pivoting motion between the open and clamping positions allowsfor easy insertion of the cartridges which does not require acomplicated sliding drawer mechanism. At the same time, using a parallelmovement to the base from the clamping position to the ejection positionhelps to reduce the required size of the delivery head.

Preferably in the clamping position the clamping member applies aclamping force to said cartridge, the clamping member being movablerelative to the base from the clamping position to the ejection positionto enable ejection of said cartridge whilst maintaining at least aportion of said clamping force.

Further, the present invention provides a delivery head for a beveragepreparation machine comprising a clamping member and a base, wherein theclamping member is movable relative to the base,

the clamping member being movable from a clamping position to anejection position,

in the clamping position the clamping member being clampable against acartridge received in the delivery head to apply a clamping force tosaid cartridge,

the clamping member being movable relative to the base from the clampingposition to the ejection position to enable ejection of said cartridgewhilst maintaining at least a portion of said clamping force on saidcartridge.

An advantage of this arrangement is that the clamping member is notrequired to be disengaged, or at least not fully disengaged, from thecartridge before the cartridge is moved to the ejection position. Thisallows for quicker operation of the delivery head and also allows theejection of the cartridge to take place without first needing to returnthe delivery head or clamping mechanism to an open configuration.

Preferably the clamping member is further moveable into an open positionto enable loading of said cartridge into the delivery head.

Preferably the clamping member is pivotable relative to the base fromthe open position to the clamping position.

Preferably the clamping member is movable in a direction substantiallyparallel to the base from the clamping position to the ejectionposition.

The following are generally applicable with any of the discloseddelivery heads.

In the clamping position the clamping member may be clampable againstsaid cartridge to apply a compressive load to said cartridge against thebase.

The base may define a horizontal support surface for said cartridge assaid cartridge moves from the clamping position towards the ejectionposition.

Preferably the clamping member is slidable across the base from theclamping position to the ejection position.

The clamping member may draw said cartridge across the base from theclamping position to the ejection position.

Preferably the delivery head further comprises a motorised transportsystem for moving the clamping member between the clamping position andthe ejection position.

Preferably the motorised transport system comprises a lead screw.

Preferably the delivery head further comprises a clamping assembly, theclamping assembly comprising the clamping member.

Preferably the clamping assembly is coupled to the lead screw.

The clamping member may comprise a cup-shaped body shaped to receivesaid cartridge and to engage said cartridge in the clamping position toapply a clamping force to said cartridge.

Preferably the delivery head comprises inlet and outlet piercers.

Preferably the inlet and outlet piercers are movable relative to thebase between a retracted position and an extended position.

Preferably in the extended position both the inlet and outlet piercersextend upwardly proud of the base so as to sealingly engage saidcartridge when located in the dispensing position.

Preferably in the raised position the inlet and outlet piercers arepositioned to increase the clamping force on said cartridge.

Preferably the delivery head further comprises an ejection chute.

The ejection chute may comprise a passageway in the base enabling saidcartridge to drop under gravity into the ejection chute when theclamping member is in the ejection position.

Preferably the delivery head comprises an upper housing movable betweenan open configuration and a closed configuration, the clamping memberbeing coupled to the upper housing, wherein the clamping member is inits open position when the upper housing is in its open configurationand the clamping member is in its dispensing position when the upperhousing is in its closed configuration, wherein the clamping member ismovable between its dispensing position and its ejection position withthe upper housing in its closed configuration. Advantageously, retainingthe upper housing in the closed configuration during movement of theclamping member to the ejection position results in a safer mechanismsince the moving parts are shielded from a user by the upper housing. Inaddition the mechanism is aesthetically pleasing since the externalappearance and configuration of the delivery head does not change duringthe ejection step.

The present invention also provides a beverage preparation machinecomprising a delivery head as described above.

Further, the present invention provides a beverage preparation systemcomprising the beverage preparation machine described above and one ormore cartridges, wherein the one or more cartridges contain one or morebeverage ingredients.

The present invention also provides a method of use of a beveragepreparation machine having a delivery head of the type having a clampingmember and a base, comprising the steps of:

moving the clamping member into an open position;

loading a cartridge into the delivery head;

moving the clamping member into a clamped position so as to clamp thecartridge in a dispensing position with a clamping force;

dispensing a beverage from the cartridge;

moving the cartridge to an ejection position by virtue of movement ofthe clamping member relative to the base;

ejecting the cartridge,

wherein the clamping position being intermediate the open position andthe ejection position.

Preferably the clamping member pivots between the open position and theclamping position.

Preferably the clamping member translates between the clamping positionand the ejection position.

Preferably the clamping member moves from the clamping position to theejection position whilst maintaining at least a portion of the clampingforce on said cartridge.

Preferably the method further comprises the additional steps of piercingsaid cartridge using inlet and outlet piercers after moving the clampingmember into the clamping position and before dispensing the beverage.

Preferably on piercing of the cartridge the inlet and outlet piercersincrease the clamping force on said cartridge.

Preferably the method further comprises the additional steps ofretracting the inlet and outlet piercers from said cartridge beforemoving the cartridge to the ejection position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a first version of beverage preparationmachine according to the present invention which includes first andsecond delivery heads;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second version of beverage preparationmachine according to the present invention which includes a singledelivery head;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectioned perspective view of a delivery headaccording to the present invention in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectioned perspective view of the delivery head ofFIG. 3 in the open position and with a first cartridge inserted;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectioned perspective view of the delivery head ofFIG. 3 in a closed position with the cartridge in a dispensing position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectioned perspective view of the delivery head ofFIG. 3 in the closed position with a piercing unit of the delivery headin a raised position;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectioned perspective view of the delivery head ofFIG. 3 in an ejection position;

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b are elevational views of the delivery head of FIG. 3with some parts shown in section and some parts omitted for clarityillustrating movement of a cartridge guide of the delivery head;

FIGS. 9 a to 9 d are cross-sectional views of the delivery head of FIGS.8 a and 8 b with some parts sectioned and with a second cartridgeinserted, illustrating movement of the cartridge guide on closure of thedelivery head;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a piercing mechanism of the deliveryhead of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 11 a and 11 b illustrate operation of the piercing mechanism ofFIG. 10; and

FIGS. 12 a to 12 c illustrate a piercer unit of the delivery head ofFIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The beverage preparation machines 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2 each comprise ahousing 2 containing the internal mechanisms of the machine such as awater reservoir, a pump, heating means and control means.

The machine 1 of FIG. 2 comprises a single brewer. The machine 1 of FIG.1 comprises a first brewer and a second brewer coupled together.

Each brewer of the machines 1 comprises a delivery head 3 providedtowards an upper part of the housing 2 in which, in use, is received acartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients. The delivery heador heads 3 are connected with a chassis of the machine 1 on assembly.The delivery heads 3 are preferably identical. Beverage is dispensedfrom the brewer through an outlet spout 5 by pumping water from thereservoir of the brewer through the cartridge to form the beverage whichis then directed through the outlet spout 5 into a cup 6. As can be seenin FIG. 1, two outlet spouts 5 are provided for a machine with twobrewers.

As shown in FIG. 3, the delivery head 3 comprises a lower part 80, anupper mechanism 90 and a cartridge guide 110. Some parts of the outercowling of the delivery head have been omitted for clarity. In practicethe outer cowling will comprise a number of mouldings shaped to containand protect the internal components of the delivery head.

The lower part 80 comprises a housing 81 formed from upper and lowermouldings. The housing 81 defines a motor cavity 88 towards a rear ofthe delivery head 3, a piercer unit cavity 86 towards a front of thedelivery head 3 and a barcode reader cavity 87 at a foremost portion ofthe delivery head 3. A forward part of the upper surface of the housing81 is provided with a flattened support surface 82 in which is located apiercer unit aperture 83 and a barcode window 84. Rearward of thesupport surface 82 the upper moulding is shaped to define an ejectionchute 85 that is open to below the delivery head 3.

The upper mechanism 90 comprises a carriage frame 95, a handle 92, aclamping mechanism 93, a lead screw 96, and a motor 97.

The carriage frame 95 forms the core of the upper mechanism and providesa structural framework for the other components of the upper mechanism.The carriage frame 95 comprises an elongate frame extending from a frontend 155 to a rear end 154 as shown in FIG. 3. The frame comprises twoside members 151 and an upper member 152 joining the two side members151. The upper member 152 is provided with two upstanding webs 156 asmost clearly shown in FIG. 9 b. Each side member 151 comprises anelongate side slot 106 and the upper member 152 comprises an elongateupper slot 153 as most clearly shown in FIG. 5. The carriage frame 95 ispreferably formed from a single moulding and is symmetric about amidline of the delivery head 3.

The carriage frame 95 is pivoted to the lower part 80 by a pair ofhinges 98 formed on the upstanding webs 156 at pivot points 150 as mostclearly seen in FIGS. 9 b to 9 d. The hinges 98 are offset from theupper surface of the lower part 80 and positioned above the level of thesupport surface 82. As most clearly shown in FIG. 9 a by omission ofcertain parts of the housing 91, the hinges 98 may comprise a cog 157having teeth 158 which engage with a damping member during pivoting ofthe carriage frame 95 to thereby provide control over the pivoting speedof the carriage frame 95. For example, the damping member may act toensure that if the handle 92 of the delivery head 3 is released when thecarriage frame 95 is in the raised position then the carriage frame 95pivots downwardly in a controlled manner rather than free-falling intocontact with the lower part 80. The damping member may comprise a cogsuitable for engaging the cog 157 and a damper, such as a rotatablevane, movable within a viscous damping fluid such as oil.

The handle 92 is connected to the carriage frame 95 and extends around afront of the delivery head 3. The handle 92 is pivotably connected tothe carriage frame 95 by a mechanism such that with the carriage frame95 in a lowered position the handle 92 can be depressed to engage hooksprovided on the handle 92 with bosses provided on the lower part 80 inorder to securely hold the carriage frame in the lowered position. Anexample of such a mechanism is described in EP1440644. However, such amechanism is not relevant to the present invention.

The clamping mechanism 93 comprises a cup-shaped clamp member 100 and acup-shaped socket 94. The clamp member 100 is provided with a centralspigot 101. A plurality of flexible protrusions 102 are provided on anexterior of the clamp member 101 which engage with an inwardly-directedflange 103 of the socket 94 so as to retain the clamp member 100 fixedlywithin the socket 94 on assembly. The socket 94 is provided on an uppersurface with a cylindrical member 104 in which is seated a threaded nut105. The threaded nut 105 is engaged on the lead screw 96. The socket 94of the clamping mechanism 93 is also provided with a pair of bosses orsimilar which are engaged in, and slidable along the side slots 106 ofthe carriage frame 95 so as to maintain correct orientation of thesocket 94 on operation of the lead screw 96. Consequently, rotation ofthe lead screw 96 can be used to move the socket 94, and hence the clampmember 100 reciprocally along the longitudinal axis of the uppermechanism 90 from the front end 155 to the rear end 154 of the carriageframe 95 as will be described below when the operation of the deliveryhead 3 is discussed. As best shown in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b the socket 94further comprises a pair of tail pieces 108 which extend rearwardly fromeither side of the cup-shaped body of the socket 94. The tail pieces 108are each provided with a pin 107 at or near a distal end thereof, theuse of which will be described below.

The lead screw 96 is mounted to the carriage frame 95. The lead screw 96is located towards a top of the carriage frame 95 in the openingprovided by the upper slot 153 as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the lead screw96 extends above the socket 94 and extends along the longitudinal axisof the upper mechanism 90 from the rear end 154 to the front end 155 ofthe carriage frame 95. The motor 97 is operatively connected to a rearend of the lead screw 96 and is able to rotate the lead screw 96 bothclockwise and counter-clockwise. As shown, the motor 97 is mounted tothe carriage frame 95 and transverse the longitudinal axis of the uppermechanism 90 to save space and is connected to the lead screw 96 bymeans of a suitable gear arrangement such as bevel gears.

The cartridge guide 110 is located inbetween the lower part 80 and theupper mechanism 90. The cartridge guide 110 rests on and is slidablerelative to the lower part 80 whilst being operatively interconnectedwith the upper mechanism 90 as described below.

The cartridge guide 110 comprises an annular member 111 and twovertically extending webs 113. The annular member 111 and webs 113 areformed as a single moulding from, for example, a plastics material. Theannular member 111 comprises a ring defining an aperture 112 shaped toreceive a cartridge 70. The lower face of the cartridge guide 110 restson the support surface 82. Whilst the aperture 112 closely conforms tothe shape of the cartridge 70 in order to enable precise orientation andplacement of the cartridge, it is slightly larger than the cartridge 70such that a cartridge 70 placed within the aperture 112 rests on thesupport surface 82 of the lower part 80 rather than on the cartridgeguide 110 itself. The aperture 112 is shaped also to accommodate ahandle portion 71 of the cartridge 70 as shown in FIG. 4. The handle 71is thereby orientated to a front of the delivery head 3 and positionedsymmetrically on the midline of the delivery head 3.

The webs 113 are located on each side of the cartridge guide 110 and, asbest shown in FIGS. 8 a and 8 b, are each provided with a slot 114 ofarcuate form in which, on assembly, the pins 107 of the socket 94 areslidingly received. Thus, the cartridge guide 110 and the clampingmechanism are interconnected. Each slot 114 comprises a first portion115 in the shape of an arc having a centre of rotation coincident withthe pivot point 150 of the clamping mechanism 93. Each slot 114 alsocomprises a second portion 116 in the shape of an arc whoseinstantaneous centre of curvature is not co-incident with the pivotpoint 150. The function of the slot 114 will be described below.

The delivery head 3 further comprises a barcode reader 120 and apiercing mechanism 119.

The barcode reader 120 is located in the barcode reader cavity 87 and isorientated to be able to transmit and receive signals through thebarcode window 84.

The piercing mechanism 119 comprises a piercer unit 121, a motor 130, alead screw 131 and a linkage mechanism 133. The piercing mechanism 119is operative to raise and lower the piercer unit 121. The piercer unit121 is located in the piercer unit cavity 86 of the lower part 80.

As shown in FIGS. 12 a to 12 c, the piercer unit 121 comprises a body122 having mounted therein an inlet piercer 123 and an outlet piercer124. The body 122 is provided with a conduit 125 linking the inletpiercer 123 with a fluid inlet 126 of the body 122. The fluid inlet 126is coupled by pipework to a supply of water on assembly of the deliveryhead with the remainder of the machine 1. A seal member 128 is locatedon an upper face of the body 122 surrounding the inlet piercer 123 andthe outlet piercer 124. The seal member 128 is provided with raisedannular portions 129 surrounding the piercing element of the inletpiercer 123 and the piercing element of the outlet piercer 124.

The piercer unit cavity 86 is also provided with a spout chute 89 asshown in FIG. 3 into which the piercer unit 121 extends. The spout chute89 acts as a funnel to channel beverage discharged through the outletpiercer 124 to the outlet spout 5 located at a bottom of the spout chute89.

The motor 130 is located at a rear of the delivery head 3 remote fromthe piercer unit 121. The motor 130 is orientated generally in line witha longitudinal axis of the lower part 80 but is angled downwardlyslightly below the horizontal. The motor 130 is coupled to the leadscrew 131 by means of a threaded, generally U-shaped, rear couplingmember 138 as most clearly seen in FIG. 10. A distal end of the leadscrew 131 is provided with an end stop. The motor 130 is able to rotatethe lead screw 131 both clockwise and counter-clockwise in order to movethe rear coupling member 138 reciprocally forwards and backwardsrelative to the lower part 80.

As shown in FIG. 10, the linkage mechanism 133 comprises a U-shapedprimary link 135 having a pair of forward-extending arms 135 a, a pairof secondary links 136, a pair of tertiary links 137, the rear couplingmember 138 and a forward coupling member 149. The linkage mechanism ismounted to the lower part 80 by means of a rear mounting plate 160, afront mounting plate 161 and two side mounting plates 162 which are allsecurely mounted to an underside of the upper moulding of the lower part80.

A pair of first pivot points 139 are provided by the side mountingplates 162. A pair of second pivot points 140 are provided by the frontmounting plate 161.

As most clearly shown in FIGS. 10, 11 a and 11 b, the U-shaped primarylink 135 is rotatably coupled at a rear end to the rear coupling member138.

The forward coupling member 149 comprises a generally U-shaped memberhaving two arms 146 and an interconnecting bridge 147. The distal endsof the arms 146 are rotatably coupled to the first pivot points 139.

The secondary links 136 are rotatably connected to the primary link arms135 a at third pivot points 141 such that a forward end of each primarylink arm 135 a is connected to a rear end of the respective secondarylink 136. The opposite end of each secondary link 136 is rotatablycoupled to the forward coupling member 149 at fourth pivot points 148.

The tertiary links 137 are connected between the third pivot points 141(where the primary link arms 135 a and secondary links 136 are coupled)and the second pivot points 140 on the front mounting plate 161.

The piercing unit 121 is rigidly mounted to the interconnecting bridge147 of forward coupling member 149 as shown in FIG. 10 Alternatively thepiercer unit 121 could be formed as one piece with the front couplingmember 149.

As most clearly shown in FIG. 10, the linkage mechanism 133 transfersmotive force from the motor 130 at the rear of the delivery head 3 to afront of the delivery head 3. In addition, by using pairs of primarylink arms 135 a, secondary links 136 and tertiary links 137 as well asU-shaped members 135, 149 the linkage mechanism extends around theejection chute 85 without impeding the chute as shown in FIG. 5.

Operation of the piercing mechanism 119 will be described below.

The beverage preparation machine also comprises a controller forcontrolling operation of the machine including operation of componentsof each delivery head 3 such as the motors 95, 130, and the barcodereader 120.

The delivery head 3 may also be provided with interlock or sensingdevices linked to the controller to provide data to the controller onthe position of the socket 94 on its lead screw 96, the position of thepiercing mechanism 119 and the position of the upper mechanism 90, forexample whether the upper mechanism 90 is in the closed position.Typically an interlock is provided to confirm closure of the handle 92when the upper mechanism 90 is in the lowered position. Operation of thedelivery head 3 is prevented when this interlock indicates that thehandle 92 is opened.

As an alternative to providing an interlock on the lead screw 96 toindicate the position of the socket 94 current sensing control may beused. In current sensing the current drawn by the motor 97 is monitoredand the controller interprets an increase in the drawn current above apre-set threshold to be indicative of the socket 94 having reached oneof its end stops at either the front end 155 or rear end 154 of thecarriage frame 95.

In use, the delivery head 3 is first opened to allow insertion of acartridge 70 of the type having a bowl-shaped upper portion 76 sealed bya flexible lower membrane 77 around a peripheral flange 78 by moving theupper mechanism 90 into the raised position as shown in FIG. 3. Openingof the upper mechanism is achieved by first opening the handle 92 todisengage the hooks from the bosses of the lower part 80 and thenlifting the handle 92. As shown in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 9 a, in the raisedposition of the upper mechanism 90, the cartridge guide 110 ispositioned in a forward-most position to ease loading of the cartridge70 and the clamping member 100 is raised as part of the upper mechanism90. The cartridge guide 110 is thus positioned because of theinteraction of the pins 107 of the tail pieces 108 in the slots 114 ofthe cartridge guide 110. In particular in the raised position each pin107 is moved to a top of the first portion 115 of the slot 114 as shownin FIG. 9 a.

The cartridge 70 is then inserted into the aperture 112 of the cartridgeguide 110 such that the cartridge 70 rests on the support surface 82 asshown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4 the delivery head 3 is shown with a cartridge70 having a relatively shallow profile. The handle portion 71 of thecartridge 70 is aligned towards a front of the delivery head 3 and lieson the midline of the delivery head 3.

The upper mechanism 90 is then closed into the position shown in FIG. 5by pressing down on the handle 92. Closure of the upper mechanism 90causes the cartridge guide 110 and the cartridge 70 to slide rearwardlyover the support surface 82 into a dispensing position wherein thecartridge 70 is correctly aligned with the piercer aperture 83 and thebarcode window 84. The rearward movement of the cartridge guide 110 iscaused by the interaction of the pins 107 and slots 114. As shown inFIGS. 8 a, 8 b and FIGS. 9 a to 9 d downward rotation of the uppermechanism 90 causes the clamping mechanism 93 also to rotate downwardlymoving the pins 107 first along the first portion 115 of the slots 114and then along the second portion 116. Movement of the pins 107 alongthe first portion 115 of the slots to the position shown in FIG. 9 cdoes not cause any movement of the cartridge guide 110 since the centreof curvature of the first portion 115 is coincident with the point ofrotation of the clamping mechanism 93. However, further downwardrotation of the clamping mechanism 93 does cause rearward sliding of thecartridge guide 110 due to the pins 107 bearing against a rearmost faceof the slots 114 to thereby force the cartridge guide 110 to move toaccommodate the pin's movement into the position shown in FIG. 9 d. Inthe closed position of the clamping mechanism 93 the cartridge guide 110has moved in a rearward direction by between 7.8 and 10 mm.

In the closed position the spigot 101 of the clamping member 100 isengaged in a relatively shallow central well 75 formed in the upperportion 76 of the cartridge 70. The clamping member 100 is also providedwith a formation 79 aligned with an inlet region of the cartridge 100.The lower rim of the clamping member 100 is aligned with and is designedto make a light contact with the peripheral flange 78 of the cartridge70 in the closed position. Thus, in the closed or clamped, position theclamping member 100 applies a clamping force on the cartridge 70. Thisforce is mainly applied to the central region of the cartridge 70 by thespigot 101 and to the inlet region of the cartridge 70 by the formation79. However, if required the lower rim of the clamping member 100 mayapply a relatively small force to the peripheral flange 78. At thispoint the piercer unit 121 is still lowered. Therefore the force appliedto the cartridge 70 urges the cartridge into contact with the supportsurface 82. Thus, the lower membrane 77 carries some of the applied loadin the area immediately surrounding the piercer aperture 83. Inaddition, the remainder of the load applied to the cartridge 70 iscarried through the peripheral flange 78 where it contacts the supportsurface 82.

Closure of the upper mechanism 90 also triggers operation of the barcodereader 120 to read the barcode on the cartridge 70 by transmittingthrough the barcode window 84. The received detected signal is then fedto the controller which thereby determines the correct dispenseparameters for the inserted cartridge, such as water temperature,volume, steeping time, etc.

Opening of the upper mechanism 90 after a dispense cycle and ejectionhave taken place results in a reversal of the movement of the cartridgeguide 110 described above.

A particular advantage of this movement of the cartridge guide 110 is toallow accommodation of cartridges having a relatively deep profile, suchas the type of cartridge 70 shown in FIGS. 9 a to 9 d. As shown in FIGS.9 a to 9 d maintaining the cartridge guide 110 in the loading positionof FIG. 9 a until the clamping mechanism 93 has rotated partially downto the point shown in FIG. 9 c allows the lower rim of the clampingmember 100 to clear the upper rear point 73 of the cartridge 70. Thesubsequent rearward movement of the cartridge 70 allows for a clampingmember 100 that closely conforms to the diameter of the cartridge to beused whilst avoiding fouling of the clamping member's rim on a frontface 74 of the cartridge or of the spigot 101 on the sides of therelatively deep central well 75 of the cartridge 70. In this way thesize of the clamping member 100 is minimised without requiring asubstantially vertical movement of the clamping mechanism 93 to be usedto allow insertion of cartridges of varying depth.

As shown in FIG. 5, at this point the piercer unit 121 is in the loweredposition such that the inlet piercer 123 and outlet piercer 124 arefully below the level of the support surface 82. On receipt of a startcommand from the user (by for example, pressing a start/stop button),the controller of the machine 1 operates the motor 130 to raise thepiercing mechanism 119 into the raised position shown in FIG. 6 suchthat the inlet piercer 123 and outlet piercer 124 are raised proud ofthe level of the support surface 82.

In the raised position the piercer unit 121 is raised to the point wherethe seal member 128 is orientated substantially horizontally with thegeneral level of the seal member 128 being level with the supportsurface 82. However, in this position the raised annular portions 129 ofthe seal member 128 lie slightly above the level of the support surface82. In this way the raised annular portions 129 are able to distortslightly and thereby tension the flexible lower membrane 77 of thecartridge 70. The peripheral flange 78 of the cartridge 70 remains incontact with the support surface 82 due to the constraining contact ofthe lower rim of the clamping member 100.

In addition, the upward movement of the piercer unit 121 urges thecartridge 70 more tightly against the spigot 101 and the formation 79 ofthe clamping member 100 to increase the clamping force which holds thecartridge 70 in position between the clamping member 100 and the piercerunit 121. Thus, the combination of the action of the clamping member 100and the piercer unit 121 creates a minimum clamping force of 30N at theinlet of the cartridge and a force of between 75 and 130N at the outlet.

The movement of the piercing mechanism 119 from lowered to raisedposition is most clearly seen in FIGS. 11 a and 11 b and involves arotation of the piercer unit 121 about its pivot point of between 5 and10 degrees and preferably greater than 7.5 degrees. On operation of themotor 130, the rear coupling member 138 is moved forwards byapproximately 20 mm by rotation of the lead screw 131. As a result ofthe coupling of the rear coupling member 138 with the primary link 135the primary link 135 is moved substantially in a direction in line withthe longitudinal axis of the primary link although this may beaccompanied by a slight rotational movement of the primary link 135relative to the rear coupling member 138. At the same time the primarylink arms 135 a push on the lower ends of the secondary links 136. Dueto the constraint of the tertiary links 137, which couple the primarylink arms 135 a and the secondary links 136 to the second pivot points140, the pushing movement of the primary link arms 135 a causes thesecondary links 136 to rotate in a clockwise sense as viewed in FIG. 11b. This rotation results in upward rotation of the front coupling member149 due to the coupling of the secondary links 136 to the front couplingmember 149 and the coupling of the arms 148 of the front coupling member149 to the first pivot points 139 of the side mounting plates 162.Upward rotation of the front coupling member 149 consequently results inupward rotation of the piercer unit 121 due to the rigid connection ofthe piercer unit 121 to the front coupling member 149. In the raisedposition, the tertiary links 137 are substantially vertical and alsoaligned with the secondary links 136 which are also vertically aligned.In this position the secondary and tertiary links are best able toresist the downward loads applied by the clamping member 100 to thecartridge 70. The movement of the secondary and tertiary links also actsin the manner of a toggle clamp wherein the secondary and tertiary linkssnap into, and have a propensity to remain in, the position of FIG. 11 buntil a positive retraction force is applied by the motor 130.

Raising of the piercing mechanism 119 causes piercing of the cartridge70 by the inlet piercer 123 and the outlet piercer 124 to formrespectively an inlet and an outlet in the underside of the cartridge70.

Once the controller detects that the piercer unit 121 is in the raisedposition dispensation of a beverage from the cartridge 70 begins. Aswith operation of the lead screw current sensing of the motor 130 may beused by the controller to determine the position of the piercer unit121. Heated water is channelled from the fluid inlet 126 through theconduit 125 and inlet piercer 123 and into the cartridge. The resultantbeverage is discharged through the outlet piercer 124, spout chute 89and out of outlet 5 into a waiting receptacle 6.

Once dispensation has stopped the piercer unit 121 is lowered byreversing the operation described above by operating the motor 130 in areverse direction. This clears the inlet piercer 123 and the outletpiercer 124 out of the ejection path of the cartridge 70 and alsoremoves a portion of the loading applied to the cartridge 70.

The controller then operates motor 97 to eject the cartridge 70 bymovement of the cartridge 70 to an ejection position. Operation of themotor 97 rotates the lead screw 96 causing the clamping socket 94 andclamping member 100 to slide rearwards into the position shown in FIG.7. The clamping member 100 moves the cartridge 70 along with it therebydragging the cartridge 70 over the ejection chute 85. During thismovement the cartridge 70 is still under some loading from the socket 94of the upper mechanism 90. Once the cartridge 70 is substantially orwholly aligned with the chute 85 it falls under gravity down the chute85 into a waste bin in a lower part of the machine 1. It is to be notedthat during this movement the outer part of the housing 91 of the uppermechanism 90 remains stationary such that the motion of the clampingmechanism 93 remains internal to the delivery head 3. A particularadvantage is that the delivery head 3 does not need to be opened inorder to eject the cartridge 70. In addition, the clamping mechanism 93affects not only clamping of the cartridge 70 during dispensation ofbeverage but also ejection of the cartridge 70.

The motor 97 is then reversed to move the clamping mechanism 93 backinto the forward position ready for the next dispensing cycle.

Optionally a steam purge may be used to clean the piercer unit cavity86, support surface 82, and clamping member 100. Steam is directedthrough the inlet piercer 123. The steam purge may be carried out withthe piercer body 121 in the raised or lowered position. In addition, itmay be carried out automatically after each dispensation cycle and orcarried out from time to time under either manual user control orautomatic control of the controller. A steam purge may also be usedduring the dispensation cycle when the cartridge 70 is in thedispensation position to dry out the cartridge 70 and to help drive outany remaining liquid in the cartridge 70.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A delivery head for a beverage preparationmachine comprising a clamping member and a base, wherein the clampingmember is movable relative to the base, the clamping member beingmovable from an open position, to a clamping position to an ejectionposition, in the open position the clamping member being positioned toenable loading of a cartridge into the delivery head, the clampingmember being pivotable relative to the base from the open position tothe clamping position, the clamping member being clampable against saidcartridge in the clamping position, the clamping member being movable ina direction substantially parallel to the base from the clampingposition to the ejection position to enable ejection of said cartridge.2. A delivery head as claimed in claim 1 wherein in the clampingposition the clamping member applies a clamping force to said cartridge,the clamping member being movable relative to the base from the clampingposition to the ejection position to enable ejection of said cartridgewhilst maintaining at least a portion of said clamping force.
 3. Adelivery head as claimed in claim 1 wherein the clamping member isslidable across the base from the clamping position to the ejectionposition and draws said cartridge across the base from the clampingposition to the ejection position.
 4. A delivery head as claimed inclaim 1 further comprising an ejection chute comprising a passageway inthe base enabling said cartridge to drop under gravity into the ejectionchute when the clamping member is in the ejection position.
 5. Abeverage preparation machine comprising the delivery head as claimed inclaim
 1. 6. A beverage preparation system comprising the beveragepreparation machine of claim 5 and one or more cartridges, wherein theone or more cartridges contain one or more beverage ingredients.
 7. Abeverage preparation machine including the delivery head as claimed inclaim 1, the beverage preparation machine further comprising a heaterconfigured to produce a steam purge, and the delivery head comprises aninlet piercer configured to direct the steam purge for cleaning theclamping member.
 8. A beverage preparation machine including thedelivery head as claimed in claim 1, the beverage preparation machinefurther comprising: a heater configured to produce a steam purge; asupport surface configured to support the cartridge; and an inletpiercer configured to direct the steam purge for cleaning at least oneof the clamping member and the support surface.
 9. A beveragepreparation machine including the delivery head as claimed in claim 1,the beverage preparation machine further comprising: a heater configuredto produce a steam purge; inlet and outlet piercers; a piercer body onwhich the inlet and outlet piercers are mounted; and a piercer unitycavity in which the piercer body is disposed, the inlet piercer beingconfigured to direct the steam purge for cleaning the piercer unitcavity.
 10. A delivery head for a beverage preparation machinecomprising a clamping member and a base, wherein the clamping member ismovable relative to the base, the clamping member being movable from anopen position, to a clamping position to an ejection position, in theopen position the clamping member being positioned to enable loading ofa cartridge into the delivery head, the clamping member being pivotablerelative to the base from the open position to the clamping position,the clamping member being clampable against said cartridge in theclamping position, the clamping member being movable in a directionsubstantially parallel to the base from the clamping position to theejection position to enable ejection of said cartridge, and a motorisedtransport system for moving the clamping member between the clampingposition and the ejection position.
 11. A delivery head for a beveragepreparation machine comprising a clamping member and a base, wherein theclamping member is movable relative to the base, the clamping memberbeing movable from an open position, to a clamping position to anejection position, in the open position the clamping member beingpositioned to enable loading of a cartridge into the delivery head, theclamping member being pivotable relative to the base from the openposition to the clamping position, the clamping member being clampableagainst said cartridge in the clamping position, the clamping memberbeing movable in a direction substantially parallel to the base from theclamping position to the ejection position to enable ejection of saidcartridge, and wherein the delivery head comprises inlet and outletpiercers which are movable relative to the base between a retractedposition and an extended position, wherein in the extended position boththe inlet and outlet piercers extend upwardly of the base so as tosealingly engage said cartridge when located in the dispensing positionand are positioned to increase the clamping force on said cartridge. 12.A delivery head for a beverage preparation machine comprising a clampingmember and a base, wherein the clamping member is movable relative tothe base, the clamping member being movable from an open position, to aclamping position to an ejection position, in the open position theclamping member being positioned to enable loading of a cartridge intothe delivery head, the clamping member being pivotable relative to thebase from the open position to the clamping position, the clampingmember being clampable against said cartridge in the clamping position,the clamping member being movable in a direction substantially parallelto the base from the clamping position to the ejection position toenable ejection of said cartridge, wherein the delivery head comprisesan upper housing movable between an open configuration and a closedconfiguration, the clamping member being coupled to the upper housing,wherein the clamping member is in its open position when the upperhousing is in its open configuration and the clamping member is in itsdispensing position when the upper housing is in its closedconfiguration, wherein the clamping member is movable between itsdispensing position and its ejection position with the upper housing inits closed configuration.
 13. A method of use of a beverage preparationmachine having a delivery head of the type having a clamping member anda base, comprising the steps of: moving the clamping member into an openposition; loading a cartridge into the delivery head; moving theclamping member into a clamped position so as to clamp the cartridge ina dispensing position with a clamping force; dispensing a beverage fromthe cartridge; moving the cartridge to an ejection position by virtue ofmovement of the clamping member relative to the base; ejecting thecartridge, wherein the clamping position being intermediate the openposition and the ejection position and the clamping member is moved in adirection substantially parallel to the base from the clamping positionto the ejection position to enable ejection of said cartridge.
 14. Themethod of claim 13 wherein the clamping member pivots between the openposition and the clamping position.
 15. The method of claim 13 whereinmoving the cartridge to the ejection position includes moving theclamping member from the clamping position to the ejection positionwhilst maintaining at least a portion of the clamping force on saidcartridge.
 16. The method of claim 13 comprising the additional steps ofpiercing said cartridge using inlet and outlet piercers after moving theclamping member into the clamping position and before dispensing thebeverage.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein on piercing of thecartridge the inlet and outlet piercers increase the clamping force onsaid cartridge.
 18. The method of claim 16 comprising the additionalsteps of retracting the inlet and outlet piercers from said cartridgebefore moving the cartridge to the ejection position.
 19. The method ofclaim 13 further comprising: producing steam; and cleaning at least oneof the clamping member, a piercer unit cavity of the delivery head, anda cartridge support surface using the steam.
 20. The method of claim 13further comprising producing steam; and the dispensing a beverage fromthe cartridge comprises driving out liquid from the cartridge using thesteam.